D’Amato Expands His Lobbying Footprint

Former US Sen. Alfonse D’Amato is expanding the reach of his lobbying firm, Park Strategies, by purchasing the ALbany-based firm Capitol Public Strategies, founded and run by a handful of former Pataki administration aides.

A source familiar with the acquisition said D’Amato will make a formal announcement when he speaks to New York’s GOP convention delegation here at the Clearwater Hilton this morning.

Capitol Public Strategies was launched in 2008 by ex-Gov. George Pataki’s former communications director, Dave Catalfamo, with with veteran Albany lobbyist Jim McCulley.

In 2009, the firm added a number of additional Pataki administration veterans, including Jeff Lovell, Bob Bulman and Bill McGahay.

Former state GOP executive director and Pataki aide Ryan Moses signed on, too, after serving for nearly three years as Director of Government Relations for the Wladis Law Firm.

The firm has done a mix of political consulting and lobbying jobs, and is currently working on (through Catalfamo) Wendy Long’s longshot bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

D’Amato founded Park Strategies in 1999 – the year after he was ousted by Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer in a tight race.

D’Amato was once a GOP powerbroker. He propelled Pataki, then a little-known state senator, to victory against former Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994 with the help of state party chairman Bill Powers.

But the former senator’s political clout has waned in recent years, although his ability to earn money through lobbying hasn’t waned. In 2003, he infamously earned $500,000 for making a single phone call.

D’Amato, while still a Republican, has since become a big supporter of, (and fundraiser for), Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

This might make for some awkwardness around the office water cooler, since D’Amato is notably close to Senator Gillibrand [rather unforgetable optics of him center-stage at her victory celebration] and this post notes his firm is working on her opponent’s campaign…